Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD

The reality is, breast augmentation, when done with subpectoral (under the muscle) implants can be a very painful procedure. I've been using pain pumps consistently for the last several years in my breast augmentation patients and the pain relief can be dramatic. Yes, you'll still need some narcotic pain killers after surgery, but not nearly to the degree that you would without the pain pump. This also means that you're risk of post-op nausea and vomiting will be less. That alone is a great reason to seek a surgeon who uses pain pumps!

Pain pumps are safe, typically delivering bupivicaine (a non-narcotic, long lasting local anesthetic) directly to the pockets around the implants. The tube is tiny, and usually removed in the office or by the patient at home, when the pump is empty (2-3 days).

Future pain control methods are being investigated that include instillation of an even longer lasting local anesthetic around the implants at the time of surgery, avoiding the need for pain pumps.